49.845(4)(a)3.
3. Except as provided in
subd. 2., an immediate supervisor who receives a report under
subd. 1. shall keep the identity of the reporter confidential. A sheriff or unit of the department of health services that receives a report under
subd. 2. shall keep the identity of the employee reporting under
subd. 1. and the immediate supervisor reporting under
subd. 2. confidential until the sheriff or unit determines that the report merits further investigation. If the sheriff or unit conducts a full investigation, the sheriff or unit shall keep the identity of that employee and immediate supervisor confidential if it is reasonably possible to do so. Any person who fails to report as required in
subd. 1. or
2. may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000.
49.845(4)(b)
(b) Any person participating in good faith in the making of a report under
par. (a) 1. or
2. or in initiating, participating in, or testifying in, any action or proceeding in which fraudulent activity as described in
par. (a) 1. is alleged shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, that results by reason of the action. For the purpose of any proceeding, civil or criminal, the good faith of any person reporting under
par. (a) 1. or
2. shall be presumed.
49.845(4)(c)
(c) The department of health services or an employee of that department may not take disciplinary action against, or threaten to take disciplinary action against, any person because the person in good faith reported any information under
par. (a) 1. or
2. or initiated, participated in, or testified in, any action or proceeding in which fraudulent activity as described in
par. (a) 1. was alleged or because that department or employee believes that the person in good faith reported any information under
par. (a) 1. or
2. or initiated, participated in, or testified in, such an action or proceeding.
49.845(4)(d)
(d) Any person who is subjected to disciplinary action, or who is threatened with disciplinary action, in violation of
par. (c) may file a complaint with the department of workforce development under
s. 106.54 (9). If that department finds that a violation of
par. (c) has been committed, that department may take such action under
s. 111.39 as will effectuate the purpose of this section.
Section 111.322 (2m) applies to a disciplinary action arising in connection with any proceeding under this paragraph.
49.845 Note
NOTE: Par. (a) 2. and 3., (b), (c), and (d) were created as s. 49.895 (4) (a) 2. and 3., (b), (c), and (d) by
2009 Wis. Act 76 and renumbered by the legislative reference bureau under s. 13.92 (1) (bm) 2.
49.845 History
History: 2005 a. 25;
2007 a. 20 ss.
1681 to
1684,
9121 (6) (a);
2009 a. 76 ss.
37q to
37t; s. 13.92 (1) (bm) 2.
49.847
49.847
Recovery of incorrect payments under certain public assistance programs. 49.847(1)
(1) Subject to
ss. 49.497 (1) and
49.793 (1), the department of health services, or a county or elected governing body of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band acting on behalf of the department, may recover benefits incorrectly paid under any of the programs administered by the department under this chapter.
49.847(2)
(2) The department, county, or elected governing body may recover an overpayment from a family or individual who continues to receive benefits under any program administered by the department under this chapter by reducing the family's or individual's benefit amount. Subject to
s. 49.793 (1), the department may by rule specify other methods for recovering incorrectly paid benefits.
49.847(3)(a)(a) Subject to
ss. 49.497 (2) and
49.793 (2), and except as provided in
par. (b), a county or elected governing body may retain a portion of an amount recovered under this section due to the efforts of an employee or officer of the county, tribe, or band, as provided by the department by rule.
49.847(3)(b)
(b) Any amount that Milwaukee County would otherwise be entitled to retain under
par. (a) for the recovery of an amount under this section due to the efforts of a department employee or officer, or a county employee or officer under the management of the department, shall be credited to the appropriation account under
s. 20.435 (4) (L).
49.847 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
DHS 2, Wis. adm. code.
49.85
49.85
Certification of certain public assistance overpayments and delinquent loan repayments. 49.85(1)
(1)
Department notification requirement. If a county department under
s. 46.215,
46.22, or
46.23 or a governing body of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band determines that the department of health services may recover an amount under
s. 49.497,
49.793, or
49.847, or that the department of children and families may recover an amount under
s. 49.161 or
49.195 (3) or collect an amount under
s. 49.147 (6) (cm), the county department or governing body shall notify the affected department of the determination. If a Wisconsin Works agency determines that the department of children and families may recover an amount under
s. 49.161 or
49.195 (3), or collect an amount under
s. 49.147 (6) (cm), the Wisconsin Works agency shall notify the department of children and families of the determination.
49.85(2)(a)(a) At least annually, the department of health services shall certify to the department of revenue the amounts that, based on the notifications received under
sub. (1) and on other information received by the department of health services, the department of health services has determined that it may recover under
s. 49.45 (2) (a) 10.,
49.497,
49.793, or
49.847, except that the department of health services may not certify an amount under this subsection unless all of the following apply:
49.85(2)(a)2.
2. The department's determination has either not been appealed or is no longer under appeal.
49.85(2)(b)
(b) At least annually, the department of children and families shall certify to the department of revenue the amounts that, based on the notifications received under
sub. (1) and on other information received by the department of children and families, the department of children and families has determined that it may recover under
ss. 49.161 and
49.195 (3) and collect under
s. 49.147 (6) (cm), except that the department of children and families may not certify an amount under this subsection unless it has met the notice requirements under
sub. (3) and unless its determination has either not been appealed or is no longer under appeal.
49.85(3)(a)(a) At least 30 days before certification of an amount, the department of health services shall send a notice to the last-known address of the person from whom that department intends to recover the amount. The notice shall do all of the following:
49.85(3)(a)1.
1. Inform the person that the department of health services intends to certify to the department of revenue an amount that the department of health services has determined to be due under
s. 49.45 (2) (a) 10.,
49.497,
49.793, or
49.847, for setoff from any state tax refund that may be due the person.
49.85(3)(a)2.
2. Inform the person that he or she may appeal the determination of the department of health services to certify the amount by requesting a hearing under
sub. (4) within 30 days after the date of the letter and inform the person of the manner in which he or she may request a hearing.
49.85(3)(a)3.
3. Inform the person that, if the determination of the department of health services is appealed, that department will not certify the amount to the department of revenue while the determination of the department of health services is under appeal.
49.85(3)(a)4.
4. Inform the person that, unless a contested case hearing is requested to appeal the determination of the department of health services, the person may be precluded from challenging any subsequent setoff of the certified amount by the department of revenue, except on the grounds that the certified amount has been partially or fully paid or otherwise discharged, since the date of the notice.
49.85(3)(a)5.
5. Request that the person inform the department of health services if a bankruptcy stay is in effect with respect to the person or if the claim has been discharged in bankruptcy.
49.85(3)(a)6.
6. Inform the person that the person may need to contact the department of revenue in order to protect the refunds of spouses who are not liable for the claim.
49.85(3)(b)
(b) At least 30 days before certification of an amount, the department of children and families shall send a notice to the last-known address of the person from whom that department intends to recover or collect the amount. The notice shall do all of the following:
49.85(3)(b)1.
1. Inform the person that the department of children and families intends to certify to the department of revenue an amount that the department of children and families has determined to be due under
s. 49.161 or
49.195 (3) or to be delinquent under a repayment agreement for a loan under
s. 49.147 (6), for setoff from any state tax refund that may be due the person.
49.85(3)(b)2.
2. Inform the person that he or she may appeal the determination of the department of children and families to certify the amount by requesting a hearing under
sub. (4) within 30 days after the date of the letter and inform the person of the manner in which he or she may request a hearing.
49.85(3)(b)3.
3. Inform the person that, if the determination of the department of children and families is appealed, that department will not certify the amount to the department of revenue while the determination of the department of children and families is under appeal.
49.85(3)(b)4.
4. Inform the person that, unless a contested case hearing is requested to appeal the determination of the department of children and families, the person may be precluded from challenging any subsequent setoff of the certified amount by the department of revenue, except on the grounds that the certified amount has been partially or fully paid or otherwise discharged, since the date of the notice.
49.85(3)(b)5.
5. Request that the person inform the department of children and families if a bankruptcy stay is in effect with respect to the person or if the claim has been discharged in bankruptcy.
49.85(3)(b)6.
6. Inform the person that the person may need to contact the department of revenue in order to protect the refunds of spouses who are not liable for the claim.
49.85(4)(a)(a) If a person has requested a hearing under this subsection, the department of health services shall hold a contested case hearing under
s. 227.44, except that the department of health services may limit the scope of the hearing to exclude issues that were presented at a prior hearing or that could have been presented at a prior opportunity for hearing.
49.85(4)(b)
(b) If a person has requested a hearing under this subsection, the department of children and families shall hold a contested case hearing under
s. 227.44, except that the department of children and families may limit the scope of the hearing to exclude issues that were presented at a prior hearing or that could have been presented at a prior opportunity for hearing.
49.85(5)
(5) Effect of certification. Receipt of a certification by the department of revenue shall constitute a lien, equal to the amount certified, on any state tax refunds or credits owed to the obligor. The lien shall be foreclosed by the department of revenue as a setoff under
s. 71.93. Certification of an amount under this section does not prohibit the department of health services or the department of children and families from attempting to recover or collect the amount through other legal means. The department of health services or the department of children and families shall promptly notify the department of revenue upon recovery or collection of any amount previously certified under this section.
49.85 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
DHS 2, Wis. adm. code.
49.852
49.852
Delinquent support payments; pension plans. 49.852(1c)(1c) In this section, "department" means the department of children and families.
49.852(1m)
(1m) The department may direct the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b) from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid a delinquent support obligor, except that the department may not direct that an amount be withheld under this subsection unless it has met the notice requirements under
sub. (2) and unless the amount specified has either not been appealed or is no longer under appeal under
s. 49.854.
49.852(2)
(2) The department shall send a notice to the last-known address of the person from whom the department intends to recover the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b). The notice shall do all of the following:
49.852(2)(a)
(a) Inform the person that the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan, whichever is appropriate, shall withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b) from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person.
49.852(2)(b)
(b) Inform the person that he or she may, within 20 business days after the date of the notice, request a court hearing on the issue of whether the person owes the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b). The request shall be in writing and the person shall mail or deliver a copy of the request to the county child support agency under
s. 59.53 (5).
49.852(2)(c)
(c) Request that the person inform the department or the appropriate county child support agency under
s. 59.53 (5) if a bankruptcy stay is in effect with respect to the person.
49.852(3)
(3) If a person has requested a hearing pursuant to
sub. (2) (b), the hearing shall be conducted before the circuit court that rendered the initial order to pay support. The court shall schedule a hearing within 10 business days after receiving a request for a hearing. A circuit court commissioner may conduct the hearing. If the court determines that the person owes the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b), the department may direct the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan, whichever is appropriate, to withhold the amount from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person. If the court determines that the person does not owe the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b), the department may not direct the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan, whichever is appropriate, to withhold the amount from any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person.
49.852(4)(a)(a) If the department directs the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b), this directive shall constitute a lien, equal to the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket, on any lump sum payment from a pension plan that may be paid the person.
49.852(4)(b)
(b) If the department directs the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b), the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan shall deduct from any lump sum payment that may be paid the person the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket, less any amount specified under
par. (d). If the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b), less any amount specified under
par. (d), exceeds the lump sum payment, the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan shall deduct the entire lump sum payment, less any withholdings otherwise required by law. The amount deducted under this paragraph shall be remitted to the department.
49.852(4)(c)
(c) A directive to the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan to withhold the amount specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b) under this section does not prohibit the department from attempting to recover the amount through other legal means.
49.852(4)(d)
(d) The department shall promptly notify the department of employee trust funds, the retirement system of any 1st class city, any retirement system established under
chapter 201, laws of 1937, or the administrator of any other pension plan upon recovery of any amount previously specified in the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b).
49.853
49.853
Financial record matching program. 49.853(1)(a)
(a) "Account" means a demand deposit account, checking or negotiable withdrawal order account, savings account, time deposit account or money market mutual fund account.
49.853(1)(b)
(b) "Department" means the department of children and families.
49.853(1)(c)
(c) "Financial institution" means any of the following:
49.853(1)(c)5.
5. A benefit association, insurance company, safe deposit company, money market mutual fund or similar entity authorized to do business in this state.
49.853(1)(dm)
(dm) "Ownership interest" has the meaning specified by the department by rule.
49.853(2)
(2) Financial record matching program and agreements. The department shall operate a financial record matching program under this section. The department shall promulgate rules specifying procedures under which the department shall enter into agreements with financial institutions doing business in this state to operate the financial record matching program under this section. The agreement shall require the financial institution to participate in the financial record matching program under this section by electing either the financial institution matching option under
sub. (3) or the state matching option under
sub. (4). The department shall reimburse a financial institution up to $125 per quarter for participating in the financial record matching program under this section.
49.853(3)
(3) Financial institution matching option. 49.853(3)(a)(a) If a financial institution with which the department has an agreement under
sub. (2) elects to use the financial institution matching option under this subsection, the department shall provide a financial institution with information regarding delinquent obligors. The information shall be provided at least once each calendar quarter and shall include the obligor's name and social security number. The information shall be provided to the financial institution in the manner specified by rule or by agreement. To the extent feasible, the information required under this paragraph shall be provided to the financial institution by an automated data exchange.
49.853(3)(b)
(b) Each financial institution receiving information under
par. (a) shall take actions necessary to determine whether any obligor has an ownership interest in an account maintained at the financial institution. If the financial institution determines that an obligor has an ownership interest in an account at the financial institution, the financial institution shall provide the department with a notice containing the obligor's name, address of record, social security number or other taxpayer identification number, and account information. The information regarding the obligor's account shall include the account number, the account type, the nature of the obligor's ownership interest in the account, and the balance of the account at the time that the record match is made. The notice under this paragraph shall be provided in the manner specified by rule or agreement. To the extent feasible, the notice required under this paragraph shall be provided to the department by an automated data exchange.
49.853(3)(c)
(c) The financial institution participating in the financial institution matching option under this subsection, and the employees, agents, officers and directors of the financial institution, may use the information provided by the department under
par. (a) only for the purpose of matching records under
par. (b). Neither the financial institution nor any employee, agent, officer or director of the financial institution may disclose or retain information provided under
par. (a) concerning obligors who do not have an interest in an account maintained at the financial institution. Any person who violates this paragraph may be fined not less than $25 nor more than $500 or imprisoned in the county jail for not less than 10 days nor more than one year or both.
49.853(4)(a)(a) If a financial institution with which the department has an agreement under
sub. (2) elects to use the state matching option under this subsection, the financial institution shall provide the department with information concerning all accounts maintained at the financial institution at least once each calendar quarter. For each account maintained at the financial institution, the financial institution shall notify the department of the name and social security number or other tax identification number of each person having an ownership interest in the account, together with a description of each person's interest. The information required under this paragraph shall be provided in the manner specified by rule or agreement. To the extent feasible, the notice required under this paragraph shall be provided to the department by an automated data exchange.
49.853(4)(b)
(b) The department shall take actions necessary to determine whether any obligor has an ownership interest in an account maintained at a financial institution providing information under
par. (a). Upon the request of the department, the financial institution shall provide the department, for each obligor who matches information provided by the financial institution under
par. (a), the obligor's address of record, the obligor's account number and account type and the balance of the account.
49.853(4)(c)
(c) The department may use the information provided by a financial institution under
pars. (a) and
(b) only for the purpose of matching records under
par. (b). The department may not disclose or retain information received under
pars. (a) and
(b) concerning account holders who are not delinquent obligors.
49.853(4)(d)
(d) A financial institution participating in the state matching option under this subsection, and the employees, agents, officers and directors of the financial institution, may use any information that is provided by the department in requesting additional information under
par. (b) only for the purpose of administering
s. 49.22 or for the purpose of providing the additional information. Any person who violates this paragraph may be fined not less than $25 nor more than $500 or imprisoned in the county jail for not less than 10 days nor more than one year or both.
49.853(5)
(5) Delegation. The department may delegate any powers and duties given to the department under this section to county child support agencies. The department may require financial institutions to provide county child support agencies with any notices that are required under this section to be provided to the department.
49.853 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
DCF 152, Wis. adm. code.
49.854
49.854
Liens against property for delinquent support payments. 49.854(1)(a)
(a) "Department" means the department of children and families.
